What starts out as forgetfulness or confusion often progresses to a state where the person can no longer make sound personal decisions and suffers from cognitive impairment. At this point, for your loved one's wellbeing, you are faced with a decision on having her declared mentally incompetent. Laws regarding who might petition the court for this declaration and related guardianship regulations vary according to state.
Medical Definition of PREFRONTAL CORTEX. : the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.ADVERTISEMENT.noun. the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
ANATOMIC CONSIDERATIONS. The frontal lobes are anatomically represented by those areas of the cortex anterior to the central sulcus, including the main cortical areas fur the control of motor behavior. The anterior cingulate gyrus can be considered part of the medial frontal lobe. The term prefrontal cortex is most appropriately used to designate the main cortical target projections for the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus, and this area is also sometimes referred to as frontal granular cortex.